How to Read a Job Offer Properly

Not just the salary

Many nurses evaluate a job offer in about ten minutes. They look at the base salary, check the location, think about the commute, and make a decision. Then six months later they're frustrated by something they could have seen coming if they'd looked more carefully.

A job offer is a document worth reading in full. Here's what to pay attention to beyond the headline number.

The enterprise agreement or contract type

Private hospital nursing in Australia operates under a patchwork of enterprise agreements and individual contracts. The agreement determines your base rates, penalty rates, overtime, and leave entitlements. Two hospitals offering the same base salary can have very different total remuneration depending on which agreement they operate under and how the roster is structured.

Ask which enterprise agreement applies and, if possible, get a copy before you sign. It's a reasonable request and any reputable employer should be able to provide it.

On-call and recall conditions

On-call is a significant factor in total earnings and quality of life for theatre nurses. Before you accept a role, find out how frequently you'd be expected to be on call, what the recall rate has been historically, and what the payment structure is.

Some hospitals structure on-call in ways that look generous on paper but result in significant after-hours disruption in practice. Others are genuinely well-managed. There's a real difference and it's worth understanding before you commit.

Probationary period and notice provisions

Most roles have a probationary period, typically three months, during which either party can terminate with minimal notice. That's standard. What's worth noting is the notice period that applies after probation, and whether it's symmetrical: the same notice required from you as from the employer.

A long post-probation notice requirement from you with a short employer notice is a one-sided arrangement. It's not necessarily a reason to walk away, but it's worth knowing what you're agreeing to.

What's not in the offer

A job offer typically states what you'll be paid. It rarely commits to roster patterns, list allocations, or development opportunities. If you've been promised specific things in interviews, whether that's particular shift patterns, access to certain lists, or a pathway to a more senior role, those commitments are worth clarifying and, where possible, getting in writing before you start.

Not because employers are dishonest, but because the hiring manager who made the commitment may not be the one managing your roster in three months.

If you're currently looking at an offer and want a second set of eyes on it, I'm happy to help.

Paul Wheeler

Director, Carejobz and The Human Edge Group

Paul Wheeler has worked in specialist healthcare recruitment since 2003, with deep experience in executive search and clinical leadership placement across Australia and New Zealand. He works exclusively within the private hospital and surgical sector, helping hospital operators find and retain experienced perioperative and nursing leadership professionals. Paul is based in Brisbane and works with private hospitals across Australia & New Zealand.

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